When you contract your precision machining project to a specialist, you’ll want the process to run as smoothly as possible. To eliminate the risk of problems and to maximise the likelihood that your deadline will be met, you should provide the precision engineer with some important information at the earliest opportunity. This will enable both parties to share a common vision for the project, with any potential issues identified and resolved before fabrication begins.

In this guide, we’ll outline the information you should provide to your CNC machining specialist and explain what to do if you don’t have it to hand.

In manufacturing, a robust production control system is essential to maintain efficiency and quality, and to meet customer demands. Lead times are often tight, so manufacturers must be able to produce highly precise parts quickly and reliably, without compromising on product quality.

It goes without saying that, in the defence industry, the highest levels of precision, reliability, and durability are essential in every component. Equipment underperformance or failure can be critical in potentially life-threating situations, so the industry needs assurance that components are manufactured to meet exacting standards and operate in challenging environments.

Honing is a crucial process in the automotive industry, ensuring that critical components perform efficiently and last longer. Often, this precision machining technique is used to improve the surface finish and geometric accuracy of various automotive parts, particularly those involved in the engine and transmission systems.

In a world that is increasingly defined by advances in technology, precision tube engineering remains unknown, despite being essential to the manufacture of countless everyday products. From lifesaving medical devices in hospitals, to cutting-edge components in aircraft, precision tubes are integral to the fabric of modern life – the backbone of numerous industries that is essential to both common and critical applications.

Far from being the outdated industry we’re often labelled as, engineering underpins every aspect of modern life, shaping the world around us in ways we often take for granted.

Production demands can often be met in-house; however, in some circumstances, it makes sense to outsource manufacturing to an outside expert. Outsourcing is a viable option when specialist skills or processes are required but a business doesn’t possess the necessary tools, equipment, or expertise to deliver outstanding results, or it can be part of a long-term business strategy to cut costs and increase profits.

Many manufacturing companies have embraced the turmoil of recent years to adapt their operations and futureproof their organisations against unforeseen events. But the changing face of business isn’t simply defined by isolated incidents, despite the global supply chain instability caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Eastern Europe. Evolutions in the way customers do business has transformed the manufacturing landscape, with a soaring reliance on digital channels and constantly shifting consumer demands also forcing many manufacturers to reconsider how to stay competitive.

What difference does it really make to choose cheaper, lower quality industrial rollers over higher-priced, higher quality alternatives? Manufacturers are under two pressures: Firstly, you need to complete your project to your customer’s satisfaction, meaning that every component must meet the required standard of function and composition. Secondly, you need to complete the project as quickly and as cheaply as possible, in order to deliver within timescale and budget.

When you receive a precision engineering quotation for your project, it’s easy to focus solely on the price. After all, it is in every business’s interest to manage costs to reduce overheads and maximise profits – particularly when we are facing the rising costs and scarcity of materials and consumables right now. And, if you’ve sought quotes from multiple suppliers, the temptation to simply compare the given prices and select the most attractive one – which invariably will be the lowest – is strong.